The Pittsburgh Hornets ’99 Pee Wees (12 year olds) will host the first Patriots Challenge youth hockey tournament dedicated to the heroes and victims of September 11.

The tournament, scheduled for Sept. 10 and 11 at RMU Island Sports Center, will feature one team from each of the three areas most dramatically impacted by that fateful day – New York (New Jersey Rockets), Washington D.C. (Team Maryland) and Shanksville, PA (Pittsburgh Hornets).

The three teams will be competing for the “Patriots Challenge Cup,” donated by the family of Joe Mascali, a New York City fireman Rescue 5, Staten Island, who gave his life on Sept. 11 while on a rescue mission at the World Trade Center. Joe’s nephew, Jack Mascali, plays for the New Jersey Rockets.

The teams also will be participating in community service projects leading up to the games. The Pittsburgh Hornets will be preparing care packages for members of the United States Armed Forces to show their gratitude for the soldiers’ service and sacrifice.

A memorabilia auction will be held on both days at the event, with all proceeds benefitting the Wounded Warrior Project. Among the items up for auction will be jerseys autographed by Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin and an American flag that flew over the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.

Tournament organizers plan to make this an annual tournament, rotating among the three areas affected directly by Sept. 11 – and featuring more teams in the future.